How to Make a Baking Soda and Vinegar Treasure Hunt [A Science Experiment For Kids When You’re Stuck at Home]

Today’s activity was suggested by the same friend that gave us the fairy dough idea. She messaged and told me this was another thing that she did in a preschool class and the kids loved it. It’s a good sensory project and it also incorporates a little science project.

Even though she made it for preschool, it was fun for every age of kid that I have (my kids range from 3-10). Even as an adult, it was neat to see the chemical reaction

Without any more delay, let’s get into how you can make your own baking soda and vinegar treasure hunt.

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What You Need to Make this Baking Soda and Vinegar Experiment

• Baking soda
• Water
• Food coloring (optional)
• Jello packets (optional)
• Vinegar
• Something to pour the vinegar with
• Ice cube tray
• 2 cup measuring cup
• Trinkets to hide
• Cookie sheet or basin

Step #1 for the Baking Soda and Vinegar Treasure Hunt

The first step is to mix together the baking soda, water, and colorant. If you’re using food coloring or jello you can add it in now. I didn’t use jello so I don’t know how this affects the end result. I was told that it makes the colors quite vibrant and smells good! You also don’t have to use any kind of colorant at all.

To make the baking soda paste, the ratio is 2:1 baking soda to water. The consistency should be pretty thick, but if it’s crumbly add a little more water.

Step #2 For the Baking Soda and Vinegar Treasure Hunt

The next step is really easy! Get your ice cube tray and fill it up about halfway with the baking soda paste.

Once it’s filled part way, put in your trinkets and treasures. Here are some ideas of things you can put in:

• Small plastic toys
• Real coins
• Beads
• Pretend jewels
• Pretend gold coins

Now fill the tray to the top with the rest of your baking soda paste.

Now pop those puppies into the freezer and leave them in until they’re frozen. We left them in overnight because we were busy making sidewalk chalk paint.

Here’s what they look like when they’re frozen:

Step #3 For the Baking Soda and Vinegar Treasure Hunt

Now that your baking soda ice cubes are done, it’s time for the experiment part. We took our experiment outside because it’s a little messy, but you can also do yours inside. Pop the ice cubes out and put them on a baking tray or in basin. You want to use something that will keep the vinegar from pouring over the side.

Give each child a small container of vinegar so they can pour it on the baking soda ice cube. We’re pretty basic so our kids just used cups to pour on the vinegar. Some other container ideas include:

• Spray bottles
• Eye droppers
• Squeeze bottles
• Milk pourer
• Pipette
• Spoon

Once they have the vinegar in hand, let them have fun watching the baking soda and vinegar reaction!

You can keep applying vinegar until the items are completely revealed, or you can let them finish breaking the treasures free with their hands.

Here’s the treasure:

The older kids liked the coins the best!

And there you have it! A baking soda and vinegar treasure hunt experiment!

If you want to learn more about the science behind the vinegar and baking soda reaction, you can check out this video on YouTube with Socratica Kids

If you have any activity ideas, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter, and we hope you’re staying healthy and happy.

Love,

the Making Life